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How to Access SharePoint Online Through File Explorer on Windows
Question details
The user wants to access and manage SharePoint Online document libraries directly through Windows File Explorer.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting to map a SharePoint Online library as a network drive to browse files locally.
- Observed behavior
- The legacy WebDAV network drive mapping method fails or behaves unreliably because it depended on the now-retired Internet Explorer.
Ensure that the Microsoft OneDrive desktop application is installed on your PC and that you are signed in with the same Microsoft 365 work or school account used to access SharePoint.
Use OneDrive Synchronization to Access SharePoint Files
This is the officially supported and most reliable method for accessing SharePoint Online document libraries directly from Windows File Explorer.
Since the retirement of Internet Explorer, mapping a SharePoint library as a network drive via WebDAV is no longer supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft has replaced this legacy method with the OneDrive sync client, which provides faster, more reliable, and offline-capable access to your cloud files.
Navigate to your SharePoint Online site in a modern web browser (such as Edge or Chrome) and open the specific document library you want to access.
Click the 'Sync' button located in the toolbar at the top of the document library. A prompt will appear asking to open Microsoft OneDrive.
Click 'Open Microsoft OneDrive'. The OneDrive app will configure the sync connection for the selected library.
Open Windows File Explorer. Look at the left navigation pane for a folder named after your organization (e.g., 'Contoso' or 'YourCompany'). Click it to view and manage your SharePoint files seamlessly.
Submit Feedback for Legacy WebDAV Alternatives
If your organizational workflow strictly relies on a WebDAV-like network drive access method, providing direct feedback to Microsoft is the recommended action.
Edit Your Synced SharePoint Documents with WPS Office
If you are managing files locally via File Explorer, you need a fast and reliable office suite to edit them. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that allows you to seamlessly view, edit, and save Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly to your synced SharePoint folders without expensive subscription fees.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your Windows PC.
- 2. Open synced files: Navigate to your synchronized SharePoint folder in Windows File Explorer and double-click any Office document.
- 3. Edit and save automatically: Edit the document in WPS Office. When you click save, OneDrive will automatically sync your updates back to SharePoint Online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did mapping a SharePoint network drive stop working?
Mapping a network drive to SharePoint utilized a legacy protocol called WebDAV, which depended on Internet Explorer's specific integration with Windows. With Internet Explorer officially retired and removed from Windows 10 and 11, the underlying technology required for this connection is no longer present.
Can I still use 'View in File Explorer' in SharePoint?
The 'View in File Explorer' button is largely deprecated. While it can sometimes be forced to work in Microsoft Edge using specialized 'Internet Explorer Mode' enterprise policies, Microsoft strongly advises against it and recommends using OneDrive sync instead.
Will syncing a SharePoint library consume all my local hard drive space?
No. When you sync a SharePoint library using OneDrive, a feature called 'Files On-Demand' is enabled by default. This displays all files in File Explorer, but they remain cloud-only (taking up zero local space) until you double-click to open and download them.
Can I sync multiple SharePoint document libraries to File Explorer?
Yes. You can visit different SharePoint sites and click the 'Sync' button in each document library. All synced libraries will appear under your organization's folder icon in the Windows File Explorer navigation pane.
